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Post by madmax on Jan 12, 2021 10:03:10 GMT 12
To me it does not appear to be damage to top of fuselage but a persons coat or jacket. It looks as if some has either just arrived or about to depart in the aircraft - note the baggage below fuselage
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nobody
Pilot Officer
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Post by nobody on Jan 12, 2021 13:53:30 GMT 12
I agree, that's a tarpaulin, cockpit cover or picnic rug on top of the fuselage. On the ground is a pair of boots and a case? There was space behind the hopper for a few items which was probably easier to access via the hatch on top of the fuselage. I don't know the details, but there was even a loader driver's seat there, but I think he might've ridden head and shoulders in the slipstream.
BRX has probably gone to the hangar for maintenance and probably sat on the pickets overnight. Many of Airwork's Cubs may have lived away from Harewood between checks. It would be nice to know the details of a working Cub pilot's life.
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Post by planewriting on Jan 12, 2021 21:33:03 GMT 12
Regarding the above longevity of ZK-BRX's private ownership with A B Craig, I've been doing a bit checking. In terms of private and on the register I would say Peter is correct. There are a few other long ownerships to consider. I believe Stan Smith has had the SAS Monoplane since the 1950s though this has been off the register and inactive for many years. The longest registered aircraft but not in private ownership is Canterbury Aero Club's Cub ZK-BNL dating back to 1956 and second place in that category appears to be the Wanganui / Manawatu Gliding Club's Schleicher Ka6Cr ZK-GAN starting from May 1960. Both these latter two have been maintained airworthy through to the present day.
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Post by Peter Lewis on Jan 12, 2021 22:30:14 GMT 12
We then have a bit of a gap while the ZK-BSx registrations went through (ZK-BSK is a Cub 95) and so arrive at ZK-BTA. This PA18A Super Cub 150, c/n 18-5766, was registered to Airwork on 5Jun1957. In September this Cub was bought by Bill Cookson and registered in his own name. Cookson was, at that time, running both Cookson Airspread, based at Wairoa, and Gisborne-based Cookson Superspread. Presumably there were some tax-related reasons for the personal ownership and that ZK-BTA was leased out to either or both of these companies over the next few years. In March 1961 this Cub was leased to Barr Brothers Ltd. of Auckland and operated in the North Auckland area. This proved to be its undoing, and on 22Oct1961 it crashed in the Waiwhiu Valley, near Warkworth. The pilot apparently lost control of the aircraft during a topdressing flight, most likely due to overloading. For some years the aircraft's remains were visible stored alongside a roadhouse in the Dome Valley. Pilot James Sorby was killed in the accident. ZK-BTA at Ardmore August 1961 carrying the 'Cookson Superspread' name the remains, Dome Valley 30Aug1965
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Post by johnm on Jan 13, 2021 8:25:22 GMT 12
To me it does not appear to be damage to top of fuselage but a persons coat or jacket. It looks as if some has either just arrived or about to depart in the aircraft - note the baggage below fuselage thanks mm - yes - I will go to spec-savers (but I like my $ 2.50 readers) |
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Post by thomarse on Jan 13, 2021 14:53:13 GMT 12
Regarding the above longevity of ZK-BRX's private ownership with A B Craig, I've been doing a bit checking. In terms of private and on the register I would say Peter is correct. Has anyone seen BRX lately? |
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Post by starr on Jan 13, 2021 15:16:34 GMT 12
I topdressed the property which was the site of the BTA fatal accident several times. The whole area around that site became a pine plantation in the early to mid 70s. It is not far from the area that Waste Management are applying for a resource consent for a land fill.
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Post by Peter Lewis on Jan 13, 2021 16:57:47 GMT 12
The next Cub 150 registered to Airwork was c/n 18-5771, which became ZK-BTB also on 7May1957. This one went south, to Invercargill for Adams Aviation replacing their Tiger Moth ZK-BAO. The change of ownership was registered on 20Aug1958, but there appears to have been no use by Airwork themselves in the intervening year. Adams Aviation was bought out by Farmers Aerial Topdressing Company, also of Invercargill, in September 1959. ZK-BTB continued to fly for its new owner until 23Feb1965 when it crashed at Lovell's Flat, South Otago. Apparently it ran off the end of the airstrip into a gully while carryibg out a downwind landing. The pilot, Ian Petit, survived the accident. Although the registration of ZK-BTB was cancelled on 23Nov1965, the airframe was incorporated into a rebuild which appeared at the end of 1965 as ZK-COG, c/n AF-PA18A-4. This also had some agricultural use and will be covered later. ZK-BTB under Adams Aviation ownership at Invercargill in 1958 Now under the Farmers umbrella, Invercargill May1960. Widgeon in the background. and a couple more, random time and place  |
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Post by Peter Lewis on Jan 13, 2021 17:36:00 GMT 12
Regarding the above longevity of ZK-BRX's private ownership with A B Craig, I've been doing a bit checking. In terms of private and on the register I would say Peter is correct. Has anyone seen BRX lately? It was reported at Taieri in late 2018 getting work done. |
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Post by thomarse on Jan 13, 2021 19:43:31 GMT 12
Thanks Peter; that's positive!
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Post by Peter Lewis on Jan 14, 2021 21:18:44 GMT 12
Cub 150 c/n 18-5805 became ZK-BTC with Airwork on 5Jun1956 Again, this one appears to have hung around the workshops unused until moving to the W W Contracting Co.Ltd. of Dunedin on 20Jul1957. This firm had previously owned Tiger Moth ZK-BGP and in a later decade Cessna 180 ZK-BUJ. They do not appear to have been engaged in aerial agricultural work, and during their ownership of ZK-BTC it carried on the nose "Waldron Waters Contractors". ZK-BTC seems to have been operated in pax config at this time. ZK-BTC returned to Airwork in June 1958, and then moved to the Hawera Aero Club in August and landed at the Auckland Aero Club in May 1960. The Glen Murray Topdressing Syndicate had operated Cub ZK-BRN since 1957, and took ownership of ZK-BTC in August 1960. This Syndicate became the Glen Murray Topdressing Co. Ltd. in August 1962. Following the crash of ZK-BRN in April 1966 the Glen Murray company was wound up and ZK-BTC was stored at Ardmore until sold to B W Gordon, Hamilton, in April 1967. This change of ownership resulted in ZK-BTC moving to Tauranga, where it became a 'hangar Queen' there, slowly being robbed of parts and suffering neglect. The registration was cancelled in December 1991. The hangar at Tauranga was, in later years, demolished and I understand that ZK-BTC was moved around a bit and is now being rebuilt at Te Kowhai by the Henwoods. ZK-BTC at New Plymouth 1March1958 with "Waldron Waters Contractors" on the nose During early years at Glen Murry, most likely at Ardmore At Ardmore 16Apr1966 Tauranga 1997. A sad sight. |
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Post by planewriting on Jan 15, 2021 18:53:41 GMT 12
Cub 150 c/n 18-5429 became ZK-BNW with Airwork on 13Dec1956 - just in time for Christmas! In March 1957 it moved south to join the Farmers Aerial Topdressing Company fleet. ZK-BNW seems to have lead an uneventful life until it crashed into the Balclutha River on 19Sep1962 after colliding with some power cables that were strung across the river. Des Pirie, the pilot, was reportedly not injured. Who has noticed this?
ZK-BNW Piper PA-18-150 18-4644/2 Litmus Datatech Limited PO Box 182 Lake Tekapo 7945 Registered 5-1-2021 ex C-FIJK
So we have a new ZK-BNW
 At Taieri airfield in 1959 |
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Post by Dave.K on Jan 15, 2021 20:32:29 GMT 12
Thanks Peter; that's positive! BRX, based at Greenfield Clydevale. Flown regularly by Ross Craig. |
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Post by delticman on Jan 15, 2021 21:35:55 GMT 12
Cub 150 c/n 18-5429 became ZK-BNW with Airwork on 13Dec1956 - just in time for Christmas! In March 1957 it moved south to join the Farmers Aerial Topdressing Company fleet. ZK-BNW seems to have lead an uneventful life until it crashed into the Balclutha River on 19Sep1962 after colliding with some power cables that were strung across the river. Des Pirie, the pilot, was reportedly not injured. Who has noticed this?
ZK-BNW Piper PA-18-150 18-4644/2 Litmus Datatech Limited PO Box 182 Lake Tekapo 7945 Registered 5-1-2021 ex C-FIJK
So we have a new ZK-BNW
At Taieri airfield in 1959A new ZK-BNW-I did, there is a photo of it on floats on the net, or course it's not a PA18A but it's pretty old. |
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Post by Peter Lewis on Jan 15, 2021 22:45:17 GMT 12
Airwork registered PA18A Super Cub 150 c/n 18-5894 as ZK-BTD on 30Aug1957. This one did not hang about, going up to Airspread (Taranaki) Ltd. at Stratford in September. It seeming flew there without any reported incident until Brian Allen attempted an after-dark landing at Stratford with just car headlights as a guide.. The Cub collided with a fence post and was destroyed in the resultant crash. Allen was injured but later recovered. I - and other sources - have the date of this accident as 23Apr1965, but I have seen the 24th quoted. ZK-BTD of Airspread (Takanaki) Ltd.   |
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Post by thomarse on Jan 16, 2021 7:01:49 GMT 12
Airwork registered PA18A Super Cub 150 c/n 18-5894 as ZK-BTD on 30Aug1957. Brian Allen attempted an after-dark landing at Stratford Brian is a Forum member("brianallen") and IIRC was a Wellington Aero Club pilot who went into Ag and apparently ended up in the USA. He has only a few posts, and amongst them is some really interesting stuff. Brian has not logged-on for nearly two years - anyone know him? chinapilot? madmax? angelsonefive? |
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Post by delticman on Jan 16, 2021 9:30:32 GMT 12
Airwork registered PA18A Super Cub 150 c/n 18-5894 as ZK-BTD on 30Aug1957. Brian Allen attempted an after-dark landing at Stratford Brian is a Forum member("brianallen") and IIRC was a Wellington Aero Club pilot who went into Ag and apparently ended up in the USA. He has only a few posts, and amongst them is some really interesting stuff. Brian has not logged-on for nearly two years - anyone know him? chinapilot? madmax? angelsonefive? I would really love to hear about the adventures of Brian Allen. |
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Post by madmax on Jan 16, 2021 12:55:56 GMT 12
Have very vague memories of Brian Allen at the WAC during the DH82 era, pre Wellington International Airport days, but heard nothing of him after that.
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Post by Peter Lewis on Jan 16, 2021 21:34:52 GMT 12
ZK-BTE was Cub 150 c/n 18-5895, registered to Airwork on 20Aug1957. This one went to Airspread Ltd, based at Tauranga. It was the only Cub ever operated by this company. Airspread kept this aircraft working until September 1959 when they sold it to J C Meredith of Masterton who also owned Proctor ZK-AQJ around that time. I'm not sure what he did with ZK-BTE as he does not seem to have been directly involved with agricultural aviation, but he onsold the Cub to Aerial Farming (Holdings) Ltd., Milson, in February 1961. ZK-BTE worked for Aerial Farming until December 1963 when it was returned to Airwork, no doubt in part exchange for a Pawnee. That same month Airwork moved it down country to Southern Aviation Ltd. of Gore. In October 1965 Aerial Work (Marlborough) Ltd., Blenheim, became the registered owners. I don't think they ever actually used ZK-BTE operationally, as apparently it was dismantled sometime in 1965. Possibly it was just bought as a christmas tree. By the end of 1968 ZK-BTE - or what remained of it - was in the hands of Wellington-based aircraft engineer Ivan East. It was not rebuilt to flying status by him, nor by subsequent owners located in Hamilton, Papakura or Whitford. Instead, the registration was finally cancelled on 14Oct1993. ZK-BTE at Christchurch 1962 At New Plymouth 30Jun1963 At Gore |
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nobody
Pilot Officer
Posts: 46
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Post by nobody on Jan 17, 2021 6:48:01 GMT 12
ZK-BTE was Cub 150 c/n 18-5895, registered to Airwork on 20Aug1957. This one went to Airspread Ltd, based at Tauranga. It was the only Cub ever operated by this company. Airspread kept this aircraft working until September 1959 when they sold it to J C Meredith of Masterton who also owned Proctor ZK-AQJ around that time. I'm not sure what he did with ZK-BTE as he does not seem to have been directly involved with agricultural aviation, but he onsold the Cub to Aerial Farming (Holdings) Ltd., Milson, in February 1961. ZK-BTE worked for Aerial Farming until December 1963 when it was returned to Airwork, no doubt in part exchange for a Pawnee. That same month Airwork moved it down country to Southern Aviation Ltd. of Gore. In October 1965 Aerial Work (Marlborough) Ltd., Blenheim, became the registered owners. I don't think they ever actually used ZK-BTE operationally, as apparently it was dismantled sometime in 1965. Possibly it was just bought as a christmas tree. By the end of 1968 ZK-BTE - or what remained of it - was in the hands of Wellington-based aircraft engineer Ivan East. It was not rebuilt to flying status by him, nor by subsequent owners located in Hamilton, Papakura or Whitford. Instead, the registration was finally cancelled on 14Oct1993. I have a photograph of BTE at Te Kuiti dated 1959-1960. The colour scheme matches that shown in the third picture in the post above; "At Gore". In Janic Geelen's book there is a photograph of BTF after it crashed in sight of Te Kuiti airfield while being flown by John Worthington on 12 August 1959. I have a vague recollection of being told that BTE was on hire to fill in for BTF after the crash. That may give some clues as to what it was up to during JC Meredith's ownership. BTE is still extant "somewhere in Canterbury". I would be surprised if it is ever rebuilt however. |
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